Microfilm recording system

ABSTRACT

The system uses a film cartridge containing film having positioning perforations, and it is operable in each exposure cycle to advance the film before opening the shutter. An interlock is provided to prevent ambient light damage to film records at the cartridge exposure window.

United States Patent Hereford MICROFILM RECORDING SYSTEM John R.Hereford, Florissant, Mo. v

Assignee: U.S. Dynamics Inc., Elmsford, N.Y.

Filed: Aug. 15, 1969 App1.No.: 850,606

Inventor:

U.S. Cl. ..355/65, 95/12, 242/ 194 Int. Cl. ..G03b 27/32 Field of Search..355/64, 65, 18, 27-29,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1969 Bley et a1 ..355/29 [451July 25,1972

2,578,037 12/1951 Berlant ..355/65 3,363,966 1/1968 l-loch ....95/l8 X3,434,783 3/1969 Sakaki et a1. ..352/72 3,511,565 4/1970 Harman et a]...355/64 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-RichardA. Wintercorn Attorney-Curtis Ailes [5 7] ABSTRACT The system uses afilm cartridge containing film having positioningvperforations, and itis operable in each exposure cycle to advance the film before openingthe shutter. An interlock is provided to prevent ambient light damage tofilm records at the cartridge exposure window.

12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJMS I972 SHE 1 of 3 3.679.305

FIG.1

.YVEXTOR. JOHN R. HEREFORD ATTORN EY MICROFILM RECORDING SYSTEM Thisinvention relates to systems for photographically recording informationon microfilm, and particularly to microfilm recording systems of thetype operable in a succession of individually initiated exposure cyclesin each of which the film is advanced by a distance necessary to recorda single document in a single document recording exposure cycle.

In a microfilm recording system of the above type it is necessary toaccomplish the basic steps of exposing the film and advancing the filmfor the successful accomplishment of each cycle of operation. It hasbeen conventional in the past to first expose the film and then toadvance the film so that the film is left in the proper position for thenext succeeding exposure. With film having film positioningperforations, the advance of the film and the final positioning of thefilm at each indexed position is determined by the position of theperforations. When the film is first inserted into the recording system,the perforations may not be perfectly aligned with the film advancingmechanism so that the first film advance operation may result in a filmmovement which is less than a full picture frame" to be exposed. Theresult is that, with the conventional exposure cycle sequence, the firstadvance of the film occurring after the first exposure, may not besufficient to move a full frame of fresh unexposed film into positionfor the second frame. The result is that the first and second exposuresare at least partially overlapped, making both frames defective. This isa serious problem when reliance is to be placed upon accurate recordingof documents.

Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide animproved microfilm recording system employing a perforated film strip inwhich the difficulty of double exposure of the first and second framesis prevented.

In prior microfilm recording systems, it has always been considerednecessary to use film no smaller than 16 millimeters in width in orderto record an adequate amount of information with proper definition. Theoptical limitations of small and relatively portable microfilm recordingsystems have been thought to make it particularly important to use filmno smaller than 16 millimeter. However, narrower film strips, such as 8millimeter width strips, possess many advantages, particularly for smalland portable microfilm systems, such as smaller bulk, lower cost, andthe possibility of utilizing the film in a standard movie filmcartridge.

Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide animproved microfilm recording system in which large documents can besuccessfully recorded upon narrow strips of film such as 8 millimeterwidth film.

In prior microfilm recording systems, it has been common to employ rawfilm on open reels, necessitating that the exposed film must beunloaded, and fresh film reloaded into the camera, in a dark room. Thisrequires that the operator be a person of relatively high skill who doesnot object to performing these operations in a dark room. It alsorequires that a dark room must be provided, or dark room conditions mustbe available in the room housing the recording system. Because the filmchange is this complicated, it is the custom to provide a large quantityof film on each reel. These customs and requirements necessarilyincrease the size of the microfilm equipment and decrease thepossibility of portability of the equipment. Furthermore, the use of thefilm in long lengths having a large number of recording frames on eachlength reduces the convenience of classifying the material as it isrecorded by shifting partially used film strips to record differentclasses of documents on separate film strips.

Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention to avoid theabove enumerated disadvantages by providing an improved microfilmrecording system which is arranged to employ film which is prepackagedin a film cartridge so that the film is easily changed without employinga dark room, and so that short strips of film can be easily shifted inthe machine as they are depleted, or for the purpose of recordingdocuments by categories on particular film strips where the documentsare recorded in a random order.

It has previously been thought to be necessary when employing filmcartridges in photographic equipment to provide for complete enclosureof the cartridge within the camera or recording system. This necessarilyreduces the accessibility of the cartridge and makes the changing of acartridge a more lengthy procedure. Furthermore, it is not possible totell from the exterior appearance of the apparatus whether or not acartridge is actually present in the apparatus.

Accordingly, it is another object of the invention to provide animproved microfilm recording system employing a film cartridge in whichthe film cartridge is provided with a maximum of visibility andaccessibility even when it is in the operating position.

In a photographic apparatus employing a strip film housed in a filmcartridge, the cartridge is generally provided with a film exposureaperture and the leader portion of the film is necessarily exposed toambient light during the loading process. Similarly, the trailer portionof the film is also exposed to ambient light as the cartridge isunloaded. Accordingly, it is necessary to remember to advance the filmafter loading and before taking the first frame so that no attempt willbe made to record the first frame upon the previously exposed leaderstrip. Similarly, it is necessary to advance the film again after theexposure of the last frame and before the cartridge is unloaded to avoiddamaging the last frame by exposing it to ambient light.

It is another object of the present invention to avoid the necessity forthe operator to separately initiate the advancing of the film at thelead portions and the trailer portions thereof, making these filmadvance operations an automatic part of the operation of the system.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings.

In carrying out the objects of the invention, in one embodiment thereof,there may be provided a system for photographically recording documentson microfilm and arranged to utilize photographic film in strip fonnhaving perforations evenly spaced along one side edge thereof foradvancing and positioning the film for successive exposures. The systemis operable in discrete individually initiated exposure cycles andincludes a shutter operable to open and close on each exposure cycle,and means for engaging the film perforations and operable in eachexposure cycle to advance the film before the opening of the shutter toexpose the film.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the film advancingmeans is operable in each exposure cycle to advance the film in at leasttwo successive film advancing steps by engaging successive filmperforations to provide for a total film advance distance essentiallyequal to the center to center distance between the film perforationsmultiplied by the number of successive film advancing steps during eachexposure cycle.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, there may beprovided a microfilm recording system including a housing and a cameralens system and film advance mechanism contained within the housing. Thehousing includes a recessed portion at the exterior surface thereof forreceiving and engaging a light-tight film cartridge having a filmexposure window and including means for maintaining a light-tightengagement with the film exposure window of the cartridge so that thecartridge need not be covered to exclude ambient light therefrom.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, there may beprovided a system for photographically record ing documents on microfilmand operable to employ film housed in a prepackaged film cartridgehaving a window opening therein through which the film is exposed, thefilm cartridge also being of the type having a take-up spindle and anarrangement for engagement of the take-up spindle from the exterior ofthe cartridge. The system includes means for receiving and engaging thefilm cartridge for insertion in a loaded position for exposure of thefilm for recordation of the documentsand interlock means operable to aclosed position after insertion of the film cartridge and operable to anopen position prior to removal of the film cartridge. The interlockmeans is operable to prevent insertion and removal of the film cartridgewhen the interlock means is in the closed position. The interlock meansincludes a drive means arranged for connection to the take-up spindle ofthe film cartridge and operable to advance the film therein whenever theinterlock means is moved between the open and closed positions tothereby remove the film within the cartridge window both before andafter the recording operation to prevent damage to the photographicrecord by exposure to ambient light.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view, partially in section, illustrating a preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a detail view of the film cartridge holding recess portion ofthe embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a film cartridge of the type which maybe employed with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. I.

And FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the mechanical andelectrical connections of the operating components of the system of FIG.1.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, the embodiment includes a housinghaving a recess in the upper portion thereof to receive a film cartridge12. The film in the cartridge 12 is exposed through an aperture plate 14and a shutter which comprises a part of the controls 16. The exposure ismade through a lens 18 and reflected by a mirror 20 from a document 22which is supported on the floor of the housing. A door opening 24 isprovided in the side of the housing to permit insertion and removal ofdocuments 22 to be recorded. A second door is preferably provided alsoin the cut-away side of the housing to provide for insertion and removalof documents from both sides.

Each exposure cycle of the system is initiated by the operator by apushbutton switch 26. While not shown, a separate pushbutton switch ispreferably provided on each side of the housing. During the course ofeach cycle of operation, the controls 16 complete a circuit to turn onelectric lamps 28 and 30 to provide a uniform high intensityillumination to the document 22. A pilot light 32 is also provided whichis con stantly illuminated to enable the operator to load and unloaddocuments 22. The pilot light 32 also indicates that power is on and theapparatus is ready to operate. Hoods 34 and 36 are provided over thelamps 28, 30, and 32 to prevent direct transmission of light from thelamps to the optical system of lens 18.

For the purpose of indexing and classifying the recorded materials, anumber is assigned to each document and is photographically recordedwith the document. This is provided by a counter 38, the face of whichis included in the optical field of the document recording exposure by acombination of small mirrors 40 and 42. 1

In addition to containing and operating an optical shutter, the controls16 include film advancing mechanisms, and switches for providing theoperating cycle signals to the other elements of the system includingthe counter 38 and the lamps 28 and 30, as described more fully below inconnection with FIG. 4. Of particular importance is a cartridgeinterlock device 44 which is rotatable to the closed positionillustrated in FIG. 1 after insertion of the film cartridge 12. In thisclosed position, the film cartridge 12 cannot be removed. The interlockdevice 44 must be rotated to an open position to release the cartridge.This rotation is transmitted through a shaft 46 to the controls 16 andcauses the film to be advanced in the cartridge after the last exposureand before the cartridge is removed from the cartridge holding recess inthe housing 10. This serves to remove the exposed last frame from thefilm window of the cartridge 12. It thus avoids damaging the last filmframe by exposure to ambient light.

When a new cartridge 12 is placed in the recess, and before the firstrecord is made, the interlock device 44 must again be rotated into theclosed position as illustrated in the drawing. This rotation againoperates through shaft 46 to cause the film to be advanced in the windowof the cartridge so that the first picture frame is recorded upon filmwhich has not been exposed to ambient light as the cartridge was placedin the apparatus. This feature will be described more fully below inconnection with the other figures.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing details of the film cartridgereceiving recess within the housing 10.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a typical film cartridge which isemployed with the system of the present invention. Since the features ofthe cartridge receiving recess are closely related to the structure ofthe cartridge, these two figures are described concurrently hereinafter.The cartridge 12 of FIG. 3 is provided with a film exposure window 48 ina front face 49 thereof for exposure of the film 50. The film isadvanced through the window 48 by engagement of a film advance finger insuccessive perforations 52 at the side edge of the film. Arranged in thewindow 48 and behind the film is a spring biased pressure plate54 whichmaintains a secure closure for the window so as to avoid admittingambient light to the remainder of the film within the cartridge.Arranged at the top of the cartridge in the front face 49 there is apositioning slot, as indicated at 56. In the bottom face 58 of thecartridge, there is a take-up spindle 59 which is exposed to theexterior of the cartridge so that the film can be wound up on the takeupspindle as it is advanced through the window. For this purpose, thespindle 59 includes a cross vane 60 which can be easily engaged by adrive pin 62 protruding from a drive spindle 64 in the bottom surface ofthe cartridge receiving recess illustrated in FIG. 2.

When the cartridge 12 is to be placed in the recess, the interlock 44must be rotated to the open position. It is illustrated in FIG. 2 in theclosed position. This interlock will normally be in the open positionwhen the recess is empty. The cartridge is then placed in the recess byfirst lowering the front face 49 into position against the front face 66of the recess, and engaging the positioning slot 56 over a positioningpin 68 which protrudes from the front face 66 of the recess. Then, whilemaintaining the upper edge of the front face 49 of the cartridge 12against the front face 66 of the recess, the back of the cartridge islowered into the recess so that the bottom surface 58 of the cartridgeengages with the bottom surface 61 of the recess. To accomplish thisposition, a clamping device 70, which is normally spring biased towardsthe front face 66 of the recess must be retracted towards the back ofthe recess. When this clamping plate 70 is then released, it engages thebottom edge of the cartridge and maintains the cartridge in the preciseposition required for operation. The interlock 44 is then rotated intothe closed position illustrated in FIG. 2.

As the cartridge is rotated into the assembled position, the apertureplate 14 actually enters and closely fits into the cartridge window 48,engaging at the side edges thereof with the cartridge pressure plate 54to push the pressure plate 54 back into the cartridge to release thefilm for easy movement through the window 48. It is one of the mostimportant features of this invention that the tight fit of the frontface 49 of the cartridge 12 with the front face 66 of the recess, andthe close physical cooperation of the aperture plate 14 in the cartridgewindow 48 combine to provide a light-tight seal so as to make itunnecessary to provide a light-tight cover for the cartridge when it iscontained in the recess. As a further precaution, the front face 66 ofthe recess may be provided with a surface of a resilient material suchas rubber, or a rubber-like material to provide a closely conforminglight-tight seal with the front face 49 of the cartridge.

The aperture plate is provided with a slot 74 through which a filmadvancing finger protrudes and engages the film perforations to advancethe film just before each exposure thereof. The film advancing mechanismis a part of the controls 16 of FIG. I. These controls are shown indetail in FIG. 4 and are described below in connection with that figure.

The aperture plate 14 is provided with a physical aperture 72 whichprecisely determines the area of film which is exposed on each exposure.In accordance with one feature of this invention, this aperture iselongated, extending over essentially the film length which wouldnormally be encompassed by at least two picture frames on the filmstrip. By this means, documents which are as long as 14 inches may beconveniently recorded on 8 millimeter film with a reduction ratio whichdoes not exceed 40 to l.

The system of the present invention is particularly well adapted to theuse of film in cartridges which are conventionally referred to in thetrade as Super 8 Motion Picture Film Camera Cartridges."

The sequence of operations of the preferred embodiment of the recordingsystem of the present invention is as follows:

1. A fresh film cartridge 12 (FIG. 3) is placed in the film cartridgerecess (FIG. 2) of the housing in the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1.

2. The interlock 44 is rotated into the closed position.

3. The document 22 to be recorded is inserted through the opening 24 inthe housing 10 and carefully positioned for recording on the floor ofthe housing 10.

4. Pushbutton 26 is operated to thereby initiate the following automaticcycle of operations:

a. The lamps 28 and 30 are turned on to illuminate the document area.

b. The film is advanced by an amount sufficient to record one frameimage on the film.

c. A shutter is opened and closed to make the photographic exposure torecord the document.

d. Lamps 28 and 30 are turned off (completing the automatic cycle ofoperation). In one physical embodiment of the invention, this completeautomatic operating cycle of the system is completed in only I second.

5. The document 22 is removed.

6. Steps 3, 4, and 5 are repeated to record as many documents as desiredup to the capacity of the film in the cartridge 12.

7. The interlock 44 is rotated to the open position.

8. The film cartridge 12 is removed for photographic development.

FIG. 4 is a detailed schematic diagram illustrating the automaticsequencing controls for a preferred embodiment of the system inaccordance with the present invention. Power is supplied from aconventional source of alternating current voltage at terminal 76through a main power switch 78. Whenever switch 78 is closed, the pilotlamp 32 is continuously energized through connection 80, and an electricmotor 82 is continuously energized through a connection 84. Whenever anexposure cycle is initiated, and electromagnetic clutch 86 is engagedfor rotation for one full revolution by motor 82. This rotation is thusimparted to tow operating cams 88 and 90. The cam 90 operates against alever 92 to move a film advancing finger 94 in two film advancingmovements in response to the two raised portions of the cam 90. The filmadvancing finger 94 accomplishes this by engaging in the filmperforations. Thus, the film is advanced by a distance corresponding totwice the spacing between successive film perforations. After the filmadvance is completed, the raised portion of cam 88 actuates anassociated lever 96. Lever 96 is mechanically connected by a connectionschematically shown by a dotted line 98 to operate a pivoted shutter100. Levers 92 and 96 are biased against the associated cams by means ofsuitable springs (not shown). The shutter 100 is also spring biased tothe closed position and the shutter biasing spring may also serve thepurpose of baising the lever 96 against the cam 88. The film advancingfinger 94 is spring biased into the film perforations, and is providedwith suitable camming means (not shown) for lifting the finger out ofeach perforation at the end of the advancing travel so that the fingermay be moved over to the next perforation. The operating lever 92 isshown in a distorted elongated form for purposes of clarity in theschematic representation.

The electrical controls for providing the above described operation ofthe system include a rectifier 102 for providing a direct current sourceof power. A capacitor 104 is preferably included to smooth the rectifieroutput. A portion of the rectified DC power is supplied through avoltage divider including resistors 106 and 108, and through thenormally closed contacts of actuating switch 26 to charge a controlcapacitor 110. When switch 26 is operated to the start position, thecharge voltage from capacitor 110 is connected through a conductor 112,and thus normally to an associated conductor 114 to the controlelectrode of a silicon controlled rectifier 116 to thereby initiateconduction in that rectifier. The conduction in silicon controlledrectifier 116 energizes relay 118 to close a relay contact 120. Contact120 thus completes a circuit to supply power through a connection 122 tothe winding 86A of the electromagnetic clutch 86 to thereby engage theclutch to commence the rotation of cams 88 and 90.

As cam 88 commences rotation, the raised portion thereof disengages froma cam operated switch 124 to close a circuit through connection 126which is in parallel with the silicon controlled rectifier 116. Thus,the apparatus is maintained in an energized condition by the switch 124after initial commencement of rotation of cam 88 independent of thesilicon controlled rectifier 116 and the initiating pushbutton switch26. At the end of the single revolution of the earns 88 and 90, the cam88 again opens the switch 124 to de-energize the relay 1 18, resultingin de-energization of the electromagnetic clutch 86 to end the cycle ofautomatic operation.

The triggering on of the silicon controlled rectifier 116 by pushbuttonswitch 26 depends upon the discharge current from capacitor 110.Accordingly, if the operator fails to release the pushbutton 26, thereopening of the cam switch 124 is still effective to end the operatingcycle because the capacitor 110 has already been discharged to initiatethe operation and is no longer effective to continue with a secondinitiation of conduction in the silicon controlled rectifier 116. Thus,in order to initiate another cycle, the pushbutton 26 must be releasedto recharge capacitor 110 through the normally closed pushbuttoncontacts, and then the pushbutton 26 must again be moved into thecycle-initiating position. This single shot feature of the circuitassociated with pushbutton 26 is quite important because it avoidswasting film in making unwantedextra film records of each document.

During the operating cycle, while relay 118 is energized, the closure ofrelay contact 120 is also effective to energize a second relay 128,closing associated contacts 130 and 132 to energize lamps 28 and 30.While only two lamps are illustrated here, it will be understood thatadditional lamps may be employed as necessary to achieve the desiredquantity and distribution of illumination. The counter 38 is alsoconnected for energization from relay contact 132 through a rectifier134, the rectifier output being smoothed by a capacitor 136. The counter38 preferably includes switch contacts 138 which are operable to theopen position when the counter accumulates a count corresponding to thenumber of documents which can be recorded on a single roll of film. Theopening of contacts 138 interrupts the connection between conductors 112and 114 (at an associated conductor 115) to thereby disable the starterpushbutton switch 26 from further energization of the silicon controlledrectifier 116. The counter switch of counter 38 also preferably includesnormally open contacts 140 which are operable at the end of the film toenergize an indicator lamp 142 to indicate to the operator that a newfilm cartridge is required. After the new film cartridge is loaded, thecounter 38 is reset to operate the switches 138 and 140 to the normalpositions shown.

When the cartridge interlock 44 is rotated to the open position, itengages and opens a normally closed switch 144 which is operable todisconnect the normally closed connection between conductors 112 and 115to thereby disable the cycle initiating pushbutton 26 whenever theinterlock 44 is in the open position. Thus, the system cycle cannot beinitiated unless film is present and the operator cannot gain the wrongimpressio'n'that photographic records are being made when no film ispresent for such recordings. The arrangement of switch 144 with theinterlock 44 is shown in a schematic representation. In the actualpreferred physical embodiment, the interlock lever 44 does not directlyengage the switch 144, but a suitable operating cam is provided withinthe apparatus to engage the switch 144 and the cam is rotated by theinterlock shaft 46.

The shaft of the cams 88 and 90 is connected through a low torquefriction clutch 146 which drives the take-up spindle shaft 64 having thetake-up drive pin 62 connected to the take-up spindle S9 of thecartridge. The friction clutch 146 is designed to provide only enoughtorque to advance the takeup spindle 59 of the cartridge to wind up theamount of film advanced by the film advance finger 94. Thus, the torqueof this friction clutch is not sufficient to advance film through thecartridge exposure window independent of the operation of film advancingfinger 94.

As previously mentioned, the interlock 44 is effective through rotationof the shaft 46 to provide for an advancement of the film at thebeginning and at the end of operations with each cartridge. These filmadvancing operations are accomplished through driving gears 148, 150,152, and 154. The last of these gears, 154, is rigidly attached to thetake-up shaft 64. The center pivot of gear 150 is fixed and serves as apivotal support for a swinging arm 156 supporting gear 152. An extension46A of interlock shaft 46 is connected to rotate a cam 158. The rotationof cam 158 causes a clockwise movement of arm 156 about the center pivotof gear 150 to cause the gear 152 to move into engagement with the gear154 to drive the shaft 64 and the film forward by the prescribed amount.Thus, the rotation of the interlock 44 not only drives the train ofgears 148, 150, 152, but it operates the cam 158 to cause the drivengear 152 to engage the gear 154. While not illustrated in the drawing,the interlock 44 is preferably provided with a one-way clutch means sothat it must always be rotated between the open and closed positionsonly in one direction, the direction required for advancing the film.Furthermore, since the film is always subjected to an additionalautomatic cycle film advancing operation just before the first exposure,the interlock 44 is preferably designed to provide a slightly shorterfilm advance for the movement from the open to the closed position incomparison with the movement from the closed to the open position. Adetent stop means is preferably provided to exactly determine the openand closed positions of the interlock 44.

The shaft of the cams 88 and 90 between the electromagnetic clutch 86and the friction clutch 146 is intentionally provided with sufficientfriction so that the film advancing operation from the interlock 44cannot be transmitted back through the friction clutch 146 to cause afalse automatic operation of the system through closure of cam switch124.

While this invention has been shown and described in connection withparticular preferred embodiments, various alterations and modificationswill occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the followingclaims are intended to define the valid scope of this invention over theprior art, and to cover all changes and modifications falling within thetrue spirit and valid scope of this invention.

1 claim:

1. A system for photographically recording documents and arranged toutilize photographic film in strip form having perforations evenlyspaced along one side edge thereof for advancing and positioning thefilm for successive exposures, said system including starting means tobe separately actuated for each document to be copied, said system beingoperable in discrete exposure cycles each individually initiated by aseparate actuation of said starting means, said system including ashutter operable to open and close on each exposure cycle, means forengaging said perforations and operable in each exposure cycle toadvance the film before the opening of said shutter to expose the film,the system being adapted to employ film housed in a pre-packaged filmcartridge having a window opening therein through which the film isexposed, the film cartridge being of the type having a take-up spindleand an arrangement for engagement of the take-up spindle from theexterior of the cartridge, and wherein there is provided a drive meansarranged for connection to the take-up spindle of the film cartridge andoperable to advance the film therein to remove the film within thecartridge window before the recording operations to prevent damage tothe photographic record by exposure to ambient light, said drive meansbeing physically separate from and operable independently from saidmeans to advance the film in each exposure cycle.

2. A system for photographically recording documents and arranged toutilize photographic film in strip form having perforations evenlyspaced along one side edge thereof for advancing and positioning thefilm for successive exposures, said system including starting means tobe separately actuated for each document to be copied, said system beingoperable in discrete exposure cycles each individually initiated by aseparate actuation of said starting means, said system including ashutter operable to open and close on each exposure cycle, means forengaging said perforations and operable in each exposure cycle toadvance the film before the opening of said shutter to expose the film,said film advancing means being operable in each exposure cycle toadvance the film in at least two successive film advancing steps byengaging successive film perferations to provide for a total filmadvance distance essentially equal to the center-to-center distancebetween film perforations multiplied by the number of successive filmadvancing steps during each exposure cycle.

3. A system for photographically recording documents and arranged toutilize photographic film in strip form having perforations evenlyspaced along one side edge thereof for advancing and positioning thefilm for successive exposures, said system including starting means tobe separately actuated for each document to be copied, said system beingoperable in discrete exposure cycles each individually initiated by aseparate actuation of said starting means, said system including ashutter operable to open and close on each exposure cycle, means forengaging said perforations and operable in each exposure cycle toadvance the film before the opening of said shutter to expose the film,said starting means comprising an exposure cycle initiating push-buttonswitch normally biased to a noninitiating position and operable to acycle initiating position by the operator, said system being operable toinitiate a cycle only in response to a sequence including the release ofsaid switch followed by the operation of said switch to the cycleinitiating position.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3 including a control circuit associatedwith said switch including a capacitor connected to be charged throughconnections established by said switch in the non-initiating position,said circuit also including means operable to initiate the cycle inresponse to discharge current from said capacitor, said switch beingoperable in the cycle initiating position to discharge said capacitorthrough said lastnamed means.

5. A system for photographically recording documents and arranged toutilize photographic film in strip form having perforations evenlyspaced along one side edge thereof for advancing and positioning thefilm-for successive exposures, said system including starting means tobe separately actuated for each document to be copied, said system beingoperable in discrete exposure cycles each individually initiated by aseparate actuation of said starting means, said system including ashutter operable to open and close on each exposure cycle, means forengaging said perforations and operable in each exposure cycle toadvance the film before the opening of said shutter to expose the film,a counting means for counting the number of exposure cycles throughwhich said system is operated, and switch means operable in response tosaid counting means for preventing the initiation of further exposurecycles after said counting means has counted a number of exposure cyclescorresponding to the maximum capacity of an individual photographic filmstrip.

6. A microfilm recording system comprising a housing, a camera lenssystem and film advance mechanism contained within said housing, saidhousing including a recessed portion at the exterior surface thereof forreceiving and engaging a light-tight film cartridge having a filmexposure window, said recessed portion including means for maintaining alight-tight engagement with the film exposure window of the cartridge sothat the cartridge need not be covered to exclude ambient lighttherefrom, said means for maintaining a light-tight engagement with thefilm exposure window of the cartridge including a front face of saidrecessed portion arranged to engage snugly with the portions of the filmcartridge surrounding the film exposure window thereof, and a springbiasing means for maintaining a spring biased engagement with said filmcartridge to force the film cartridge against the front face of saidrecessed portion of said housing to maintain firm engagement therewith.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said front face of saidrecessed portion comprises a compressible rubberlike material forengagement in a light-tight seal with the film cartridge.

8. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the optical path of saidcamera lens system includes a reflector for providing a right angle bendin the optical path to thereby reduce the outer dimensions of saidhousing.

9. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the system is operable indiscrete document recording cycles, and wherein there is provided acounter operable to change the count stored therein upon the operationof said system for each discrete document recording cycle, andreflective means arranged in the edge of the field of view of saidcamera lens system for reflecting an image of the face of said counterto thereby photographically record the count stored in said countertogether with the document being recorded on each exposure cycle.

10. A system for photographically recording documents on microfilm andoperable to employ film housed in a prepackaged film cartridge having awindow opening therein through which the film is exposed, the filmcartridge being of the type having a take-up spindle and an arrangementfor engagement of the take-up spindle from the exterior of thecartridge, said system including means for receiving and engaging saidfilm cartridge for insertion in a loaded position for exposure of saidfilm for recordation of the documents, interlock means operable to aclosed position after insertion of the film cartridge and operable to anopen position prior to the removal of the film cartridge, said interlockmeans being operable to prevent insertion and removal of the filmcartridge when said interlock means is in the closed position, and saidinterlock means including drive means arranged for connection to thetake-up spindle of the film cartridge and operable to advance the filmtherein whenever said interlock means is moved between the open andclosed positions to thereby remove the film within the cartridge windowboth before and after the recording operations to prevent damage to thephotographic record by exposure to ambient light.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the advance of the film bysaid interlock means is greater during movement from the closed to theopen position than it is for movement from the open to the closedposition.

12. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said interlock meansincludes means to prevent operation of said system in a documentrecording cycle when said interlock means is in the open position.

1. A system for photographically recording documents and arranged toutilize photographic film in strip form having perforations evenlyspaced along one side edge thereof for advancing and positioning thefilm for successive exposures, said system including starting means tobe separately actuated for each document to be copied, said system beingoperable in discrete exposure cycles each individually initiated by aseparate actuation of said starting means, said system including ashutter operable to open and close on each exposure cycle, means forengaging said perforations and operable in each exposure cycle toadvance the film before the opening of said shutter to expose the film,the system being adapted to employ film housed in a pre-packaged filmcartridge having a window opening therein through which the film isexposed, the film cartridge being of the type having a take-up spindleand an arrangement for engagement of the take-up spindle from theexterior of the cartridge, and wherein there is provided a drive meansarranged for connection to the take-up spindle of the film cartridge andoperable to advance the film therein to remove the film within thecartridge window before the recording operations to prevent damage tothe photographic record by exposure to ambient light, said drive meansbeing physically separate from and operable independently from saidmeans to advance the film in each exposure cycle.
 2. A system forphotographically recording documents and arranged to utilizephotographic film in strip form having perforations evenly spaced alongone side edge thereof for advancing and positioning the film forsuccessive exposures, said system including starting means to beseparately actuated for each document to be copied, said system beingoperable in discrete exposure cycles each individually initiated by aseparate actuation of said starting means, said system including ashutter operable to open and close on each exposure cycle, means forengaging said perforations and operable in each exposure cycle toadvance the film before the opening of said shutter to expose the film,said film advancing means being operable in each exposure cycle toadvance the film in at least two successive Film advancing steps byengaging successive film perferations to provide for a total filmadvance distance essentially equal to the center-to-center distancebetween film perforations multiplied by the number of successive filmadvancing steps during each exposure cycle.
 3. A system forphotographically recording documents and arranged to utilizephotographic film in strip form having perforations evenly spaced alongone side edge thereof for advancing and positioning the film forsuccessive exposures, said system including starting means to beseparately actuated for each document to be copied, said system beingoperable in discrete exposure cycles each individually initiated by aseparate actuation of said starting means, said system including ashutter operable to open and close on each exposure cycle, means forengaging said perforations and operable in each exposure cycle toadvance the film before the opening of said shutter to expose the film,said starting means comprising an exposure cycle initiating push-buttonswitch normally biased to a noninitiating position and operable to acycle initiating position by the operator, said system being operable toinitiate a cycle only in response to a sequence including the release ofsaid switch followed by the operation of said switch to the cycleinitiating position.
 4. A system as claimed in claim 3 including acontrol circuit associated with said switch including a capacitorconnected to be charged through connections established by said switchin the non-initiating position, said circuit also including meansoperable to initiate the cycle in response to discharge current fromsaid capacitor, said switch being operable in the cycle initiatingposition to discharge said capacitor through said last-named means.
 5. Asystem for photographically recording documents and arranged to utilizephotographic film in strip form having perforations evenly spaced alongone side edge thereof for advancing and positioning the film forsuccessive exposures, said system including starting means to beseparately actuated for each document to be copied, said system beingoperable in discrete exposure cycles each individually initiated by aseparate actuation of said starting means, said system including ashutter operable to open and close on each exposure cycle, means forengaging said perforations and operable in each exposure cycle toadvance the film before the opening of said shutter to expose the film,a counting means for counting the number of exposure cycles throughwhich said system is operated, and switch means operable in response tosaid counting means for preventing the initiation of further exposurecycles after said counting means has counted a number of exposure cyclescorresponding to the maximum capacity of an individual photographic filmstrip.
 6. A microfilm recording system comprising a housing, a cameralens system and film advance mechanism contained within said housing,said housing including a recessed portion at the exterior surfacethereof for receiving and engaging a light-tight film cartridge having afilm exposure window, said recessed portion including means formaintaining a light-tight engagement with the film exposure window ofthe cartridge so that the cartridge need not be covered to excludeambient light therefrom, said means for maintaining a light-tightengagement with the film exposure window of the cartridge including afront face of said recessed portion arranged to engage snugly with theportions of the film cartridge surrounding the film exposure windowthereof, and a spring biasing means for maintaining a spring biasedengagement with said film cartridge to force the film cartridge againstthe front face of said recessed portion of said housing to maintain firmengagement therewith.
 7. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein saidfront face of said recessed portion comprises a compressible rubberlikematerial for engagement in a light-tight seal with the film cartridge.8. A systeM as claimed in claim 6 wherein the optical path of saidcamera lens system includes a reflector for providing a right angle bendin the optical path to thereby reduce the outer dimensions of saidhousing.
 9. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the system isoperable in discrete document recording cycles, and wherein there isprovided a counter operable to change the count stored therein upon theoperation of said system for each discrete document recording cycle, andreflective means arranged in the edge of the field of view of saidcamera lens system for reflecting an image of the face of said counterto thereby photographically record the count stored in said countertogether with the document being recorded on each exposure cycle.
 10. Asystem for photographically recording documents on microfilm andoperable to employ film housed in a prepackaged film cartridge having awindow opening therein through which the film is exposed, the filmcartridge being of the type having a take-up spindle and an arrangementfor engagement of the take-up spindle from the exterior of thecartridge, said system including means for receiving and engaging saidfilm cartridge for insertion in a loaded position for exposure of saidfilm for recordation of the documents, interlock means operable to aclosed position after insertion of the film cartridge and operable to anopen position prior to the removal of the film cartridge, said interlockmeans being operable to prevent insertion and removal of the filmcartridge when said interlock means is in the closed position, and saidinterlock means including drive means arranged for connection to thetake-up spindle of the film cartridge and operable to advance the filmtherein whenever said interlock means is moved between the open andclosed positions to thereby remove the film within the cartridge windowboth before and after the recording operations to prevent damage to thephotographic record by exposure to ambient light.
 11. A system asclaimed in claim 10 wherein the advance of the film by said interlockmeans is greater during movement from the closed to the open positionthan it is for movement from the open to the closed position.
 12. Asystem as claimed in claim 10 wherein said interlock means includesmeans to prevent operation of said system in a document recording cyclewhen said interlock means is in the open position.